Blogging While Black

A space where we tell our own stories, in our own words, on our own terms.

Here we write about the issues that shape our communities: faith, family, healing, justice, economic mobility, life, and everything in between. We write about the news, the moments, and the everyday realities that rarely get told with nuance or dignity when filtered through someone else's lens.

My First Adult Job: Finding My Place at the Hub

First Adult Job - Youth POV

This is the Hub, the space where I work, learn, and get to be part of my community. When I first started working at the Black Resiliency Project, I honestly didn’t know exactly what to expect. This is my first “adult” job, and I’m still figuring out what that even means. I’m learning how to be professional, how to communicate with different people, how to show up for my community, and how to believe in myself a little more. But one thing I didn’t expect was to find a place th

Mayah Jones

Sep 42 min read

But my mind tells me so...

I don’t know if it was ever said out loud, or if the expectation was ever written down anywhere, but at some point in this journey called life, I felt like I had to be perfect. Not the kind of perfect that fixates on aesthetics, or a particular look. I had freedom in that regard, mostly. Trayvon Martin’s murder by George Zimmerman reminded me that I needed to be conscious about what I wear. But even still, my idea of perfection never rested in my looks or my outward appearanc

Robert A. Morton Sr.

Sep 16 min read

Black Goes Blue

A Blue Zone is a place where people are living exceptionally long and healthy lives. How do we get there?

Rachel Morton, CEO

Sep 14 min read

Honoring the History of Black Harm Reduction

August 2026

We had the opportunity to attend The History of Black Harm Reduction, hosted by The Sierra Health Foundation. Our lead speaker, Joy Rucker, brought incredible knowledge, passion, and love for Black communities to the conversation.

For us, spaces like this matter. It is important to gather in environments where race and culture are not barriers to understanding, but are recognized as essential parts of how people experience health, care, stigma, and support.

Harm reduction within Black communities is about more than overdose prevention and reducing the spread of infectious disease. It is also about dignity, trust, safety, cultural understanding, and making sure people receive support without judgment.

We are grateful for the opportunity to learn, connect, and continue strengthening how we approach harm reduction in our own work.

Here are a few photos from our time together.

#BlackJoy #BlackExcellence #BRP #HarmReduction

August 25, 2026 -Black Harm Reduction Convening

8.25.26 - Black Harm Reduction Convening-02

August 25, 2026 -Black Harm Reduction Convening

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Hosting the North State Inclusive Economic Development Collective & The Funders Tour!

August 2026

What an honor to welcome the North State Inclusive Economic Development Collective and the Funders Tour to The Community Hub!

We had the opportunity to host representatives from foundations, banks, community organizations, and some of our favorite partners, all coming together around a shared vision for a stronger and more inclusive North State economy.

For us, this is what community-centered economic development looks like: building relationships, creating access, sharing resources, and making sure historically underserved communities are not just invited into the conversation, but have a seat at the table.

We are grateful for the opportunity to open our doors, share our work, and continue building what is possible together.

#BlackResiliencyProject #NorthState #InclusiveEconomicDevelopment #CommunityDevelopment #EconomicMobility #CommunityPartnerships #ButteCounty #brp

August 17, 2026 - North State Inclusive Economic Development Coalition

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Building Purpose With Our Youth Resiliency Builders

June 2026

We had an amazing time connecting with our Youth Resiliency Builders and Danelle from Healthy Community Collaborative.

These young leaders brought energy, insight, and purpose to the conversation. Creating opportunities for youth to speak up, build confidence, explore their strengths, and help shape their communities is exactly what this work is about.

We are excited to continue creating spaces where young people feel supported, connected, and empowered to lead.

Interested in getting connected? Email us at Support@blackrp.org.

#YouthResiliencyBuilders #BRP #CommunityHub #YouthLeadership #Purpose

July 23, 2026 - Youth listening Session

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BSU Community Day:

Growing Community Together

May 2026

We had a powerful BSU Community Day with students and leaders representing Chico State, Oroville High School, Las Plumas High School, and Butte College Black Student Unions.

Together, we reset our community garden, talked about life-saving topics, explored climate and environmental issues, and created space for connection across schools and generations.

Days like this remind us that community is something we build together, through conversation, shared work, and opportunities for young people to lead.

#BSUCommunityDay #BRP #YouthLeadership #CommunityBuilding #ClimateResilience #BlackStudentUnion #ChicoState

May 2, 2026 - BSU Community Day

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Hot Plates in the Plaza

November 2025

Thanks to a grant from Northern Valley Community Foundation and community donations, we were able to serve over 500 warm meals to our most vulnerable community neighbors. We cooked home-cooked meals because those are the warmest and best for the soul. Even the Chico Gumbo Shop joined us and provided amazing soul food meals. Behavioral health came out as well to meet with their clients. We are grateful for all the support we received to support our neighbors. We were able to serve these hot meals through February of 2026 each week.

Hot Plates - Fall 2025 - Winter 2026

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